<p>During the final leg of <em>PiliPinas Debates 2016</em>, the presidential candidates shared their insights and solutions to three perennial problems facing the country, namely, traffic, employment and the worsening sovereignty issue with China. Despite

For the third leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2016, the presidential candidates presented their plans for a better Philippines.

The forum was held on Sunday, April 24, at the PHINMA University of Pangasinan, and aired on ABS-CBN. The moderators were Kapamilya news anchors Tony Velasquez and Karen Davila.

All the candidates were present: Vice President Jejomar Binay, former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief Mar Roxas, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

The five politicians used the three-hour program to answer questions from the audience, and to present their platforms on several issues relevant to the country.

The first three topics tackled were the sovereignty issue involving China and the West Philippine Sea, the worsening traffic situation and job security.

SOVEREIGNTY.ABS-CBN presented the story of a fisherman in Pangasinan who faces livelihood issues because Chinese forces had taken over their fishing area. The fisherman then asked the candidates on how they can solve the row between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.

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All five candidates agreed that the arbitration process should continue so that the Philippines can stake its claim on the islands that China had taken.

Binay added that the needs of farmers should be addressed. The fisherman should be given livelihood, their healthcare should be improved and their children should get free education.

Poe said the fisherfolk need better support from the coast guard. She said she’ll provide them a way to contact the navy so that they can be defended when they meet Chinese forces while they are fishing.

Santiago opted for a more aggressive option, where she talked about the bombing of these foreign forces.

TRAFFIC ISSUE. The next issue was the heavy traffic faced by commuters in Metro Manila and around the country. All the candidates talked about the improvement of mass transit, and all of yhem mentioned the creation of efficient railway systems to connect Metro Manila to the provinces.

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Santiago added that the next President must strongly appeal to Filipino drivers to practice discipline on the road. She also believes that there should be stricter rules to get a license.

“He should deal on the LTO to make sure that those who get licenses are qualified persons, because you can get a license anytime right now,” she said.

Duterte also wants to remove old vehicles on EDSA.

“Dilapitated and earlier models must be out of EDSA. That’s the only solution. Nothing else would solve the problem,” he stressed.

Poe said she will appoint a government secretary to terminate traffic, and to make sure that public works will be completed on time.

Binay said traffic woes can only be solved if there is a leader who is competent and effective enough to manage it. He also wants to separate the Department of Transportation and Communication into two departments so that the transportation aspect can have more focus.

LABOR ISSUES. The next topic was about security of tenure among minimum wage earners. A laborer asked the candidates about the concept of contractualization, and how they will end the “endo” (end-of-contract) scheme where employers fire contractual employees before they reach their sixth month of employment so that they will not be able to avail of benefits.

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All candidates said that they will remove the endo scheme when they get elected.

Duterte called it an “injustice.” He said he will ask the Congress to pass a bill immediately during his first week as President.

Poe also called contractualization unfair for workers. She added that she will lower corporate income taxes so that employers will not be opposed to the anti-contractualization measure, which may increase business expenses.

Roxas said contractualization will be stopped if loopholes in the current laws are plugged, which may take up to three months. He also stressed he has no qualms standing up against large mall chains that employ the endo scheme.

<p>During the final leg of <em>PiliPinas Debates 2016</em>, the presidential candidates shared their insights and solutions to three perennial problems facing the country, namely, traffic, employment and the worsening sovereignty issue with China. Despite

This article was created by . Edits have been made by the PEP.ph editors.